re: Most exciting play in TS?

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And honestly, it has to be taken into context with the rest of that game. By itself, pretty standard TD pass. I know it's a BIG play, but IMO not necessarily the most exciting.

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Let me help you with the context a little.

I do agree, it was a pretty standard TD pass. And in 1988, LSU fans had no idea what winning championships was like, we were just happy to see the Tigers win as many games as they could.

The reason why there was an "earthquake" causing noise when Hodson hit Fuller was because it was a huge release of tension/frustration/jubilation that had been building the whole game.

The game itself was VERY mundane. It was a hard-hitting defensive struggle. LSU's offense was stuck in the mud all night long (figuratively, not literally). The defense was playing its arse off, but the offense just couldn't do anything. It was 3-0 at halftime. In this day and age, half of the stadium would have emptied by halftime, but it was 1988 and we had nothing better to do, so we all stayed. The 2nd half was more of the same. Then finally, with about 6 minutes left and LSU down 6-0, LSU got the ball at their own 25. With only one timeout left, it was pretty obvious that this was probably LSU's last chance to mount a drive.

Hodson was getting his arse kicked all night long by Auburn's pass rush, but he kept hanging in there. He made several good throws and LSU methodically started moving down the field, rumbling toward the students in the North end zone like a slow but determined freight train. At times, it looked like it was all Hodson could do just to get under center. He was a tough SOB. Hodson completed a 3rd and 5 pass for 20 yards to get LSU down to the Auburn 21 yard line. The crowd sensed that there was a chance.

On 1st down, Hodson went for it all. Eddie Fuller was running free down the middle of the field toward the end zone with nobody near him. Hodson lofted a beautiful spiral that was headed right for Fuller...then it hit him in the hands. LSU was going to score! But Fuller dropped the ball......how could he do that? It looked like it could be LSU's only chance to score all night...and it slipped through their hands.

On the ESPN replay, there is a great shot of Mike Archer watching the play. He starts excitedly jumping up and down when he sees the ball headed toward Fuller...then he keels over like he had been kicked in the balls when Fuller drops it...then he stands tall, claps his hands, and says "that's ok. next play".

3 plays later, LSU found itself in a 4th and 9 situation from the 20. It was do or die. Hodson dropped back and hit lumbering tight end Willie Williams in the right flat. Williams caught the ball well short of the first down, but he had some running room and was going to have to figure out a way to get the first down because defenders were closing in on him. It was going to be close. Another tight end named Ronnie Halliburton made a huge block and Williams dove as hard as he could toward the 1st down stick. It required a measurement. The chains came out and strettttttched.......1ST DOWN by about half the length of the football.

It was 1st and goal from the 10. There was about 2 minutes left on the clock. LSU had 4 plays to gain 10 yards. Hodson threw 3 straight incompletions under heavy pressure, so that brought up 4th and 10. Again, it seemed hopeless. Just to add to the tension, Auburn called time out before LSU was set to run what would be its final chance to score.

So finally, a battered Hodson led his troops up to the line to take one more shot at it. He dropped straight back. OH NO...the rushers were there and Hodson was going to surely be sacked. But he stood tall, delivered the ball, and took one final vicious hit from an Auburn pass rusher. While Hodson was on the ground, the ball sailed toward the back of the endzone under the goal posts. It looked like it was going to be too high....but suddenly Eddie Fuller seemingly leaps out of nowhere and grabs the ball and keeps his foot in bounds. No way was he going to drop this one....

And the rest is history. All of the frustrations, all of the near-misses, all of the pressure erupted into one loud cheer as LSU finally cashed in on their last last chance. David Browndyke punched the extra point through, and LSU led. The Tigers still had to hold off Auburn, but two mean dudes named Ron Sancho and Eric Hill terrorized Auburn QB Reggie Slack and Auburn turned the ball over on downs, securing victory.

Hopefully that gives you a taste of why the Hodson to Fuller play drew such a reaction...